Presbyopia (“Lao Hua”) Correction

Surgery + Technology

Presbyopia (“Lao Hua”) Correction Singapore

Presbyopia causes reading to become blurred.

Presbyopia is an age-related eye condition that causes difficulty to read without glasses and affects people in their middle-age.

LENS IMPLANT SURGERY

Patients with cataracts need not wait for many years for their cataract to mature and harden before undergoing surgery. With the modern advances in ophthalmic skills and technology, soft cataracts are easily removed and people undergoing a cataract procedure have a once in a lifetime chance to change their imperfect eye errors (myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia) into the perfect eye with no refractive error at all, achieving total spectacle freedom.

At Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre, only scientifically proven, time-tested technologies are used to correct presbyopia. Patients are first assessed to see if they have cataracts or not. If they have cataracts, our patients have a choice between Multi-focal or Mono-focallens implants, either of which when implanted during cataract surgery, is able to remove all refractive errors (eg myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia) to achieve spectacle freedom. The procedure is highly successful, takes 15 minutes, and is performed under local anaesthesia.

Multi-focal lens technology:

Multi-focal lens implants are specially engineered to provide both a distance focus, and a near focus at all times. Multi-focal lens implantsare similar to wearing “progressive” spectacles which allow distance, intermediate and near focus. Instead of wearing glasses on the face, multi-focallens implants are implanted inside the eye, so that post-operative glasses are not necessary. The brain will neuro-adapt to the multi-focal visual systempost-operatively, such that it will automatically select for the eye to focus at whatever is the required distance.

Mono-focal lens technology:

If you choose mono-focal implants, spectacle freedom is achieved by creating mono-vision. Mono-vision can be achieved during cataract surgery by implanting a mono-focal lens in one eye that is set for near vision, while implanting another mono-focal lens in the other eye that is set to see far. This process of neuro-adaptation by the brain to mono-vision usually takes 1 – 2 weeks, after which the brain begins to use the eyes naturally in a mono-vision manner, and a person becomes unaware which eye is focused at near and which is focused at distance.

Dr Natasha Lim EyeCentre uses aspheric HD (high definition) mono-focal lenses, like our HD LED TV screens, offering the sharpest image of any available implants. These lenses provide excellent contrast sensitivity and extremely high quality of vision in a variety of lighting conditions. Individuals who require excellent distance vision, such as golfers, or those who frequently drive at night, may be well suited with a HD mono-focal implant. For people with eye diseases such as macular degeneration or glaucoma, the compromised state of the retina may often be assisted by the HD to form the sharpest image possible on the retina.

Patients electing to have lens implant surgery to reduce their need for glasses will never have to worry about developing cataracts later on in life. Once removed, a cataract can never return. The power carried in the new lens implant is stable for the rest of your life.

LASIK SURGERY FOR PRESBYOPIA CORRECTION

Younger patients with presbyopia but no cataract should opt for LASIK. LASIK is a type of eye surgery that uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea, there by treating any refractive errors.

A currently available FDA-approved procedure that corrects presbyopia is known as mono-vision LASIK, where one eye is corrected for distance vision, and the other eye is corrected for near vision. Ina simple, pain-free, 10 minutes procedure under topical anaesthesia only, all short-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia will be “zapped” away by a laser. During your assessment at our eye centre, you will get a chance to experience mono-vision with trial lenses before undergoing mono-vision LASIK. Another option is Implantable Contact Lens (ICL).

Multi-focal lens implant to correct presbyopia during cataract surgery

Mono-vision LASIK surgery for correction of presbyopia

LASIK to correct Presbyopia (Lao Hua)

Trifocal lens implant to correct Presbyopia (Lao Hua)

Authored by: Dr Natasha Lim

FAQs

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What Is Presbyopia and Its Causes?

Presbyopia is a normal age-related change in the eye that leads to difficulty in viewing close objects. The crystalline lens of the eye becomes less flexible with ageing.

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At What Age Does Presbyopia Usually Start?

Presbyopia is usually apparent after age 40. The first sign of presbyopia usually shows up as eye strain when you try to read small print or focus on things up close.

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Does Presbyopia Get Worse as You Age?

Definitely. It tends to creep in little by little, and that’s just because your eyes naturally lose their close-up focusing power over time.

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Can Presbyopia Be Corrected With Laser Eye Surgery?

Yes. Some laser surgery (monovision LASIK, Laser Blended Vision) may eliminate the need for reading glasses in some patients.

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What Is Monovision for Presbyopia?

Monovision corrects one eye predominantly for distance and the other for near. The brain adapts to the images received from each eye and combines the images to give vision at all distances.

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What Is Laser Blended Vision for Presbyopia?

Laser Blended Vision aims to correct vision from near, intermediate and far distances. It uses individualised treatment to blend the different ranges of focus.

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Can Presbyopia Correction Help Me Stop Using Reading Glasses?

Treating Presbyopia can reduce your need for glasses for reading, although it may not be reduced completely. The results really depend on your treatment and what you’d like for your vision.

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Can I Treat Presbyopia If I’m Short-Sighted?

Yes, you can. If you are myopic, options for treating presbyopia are available. What is best for you will vary depending on your prescription, eye health and what you require your lenses to see clearly.

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Can I Fix Presbyopia During Cataract Surgery?

Yes. Certain intraocular lenses, which are placed in the eye at the time of the cataract operation, can help with presbyopia.

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How Can I Determine What Presbyopia Correction Works for Me?

The right choice varies from person to person – it’s all about what’s best for your age, your prescription, your eyes and your daily routine. An eye test will advise you on the right treatment.